Forest conference set for May

The Spartansburg based Foundation for Sustainable Forests will open its second annual Loving the Land Through Working Forests Conference 2013 on May 17 and 18 at Allegheny College in Meadville.

"Last year for our first conference we had over 300 people attend," said Guy Dunkel, a foundations board member. "We had people attend from throughout the tristate region and Ontario. We'll have nationally known Wendell Berry as a guest speaker like last year."

The conference will have discussions regarding the best forest management programs for landowners who want to protect their woodlands. There will be an overview of the region's forests and the threats which the woodlands face and solutions to various forestry related problems.

There will be plenty of activities for children of all ages provided by Butterflies for Kids I Am a Planet Kid.

The programs are free and open to the public. However, registration is required for the Saturday "in the field program." Send an e-mail to info@FoundationForSustainableForests.com. Include the names, addresses and telephone numbers of those who will be attending.

The Days Inn at Meadville, (814) 337-4264, and the Comfort Inn at Titusville, (814) 827-0041 are providing lodging at reduced rates for May 17, 18 and 19. The discount reservations must be made by May 1.

The Foundation for Sustainable Forests was founded by Troy Firth of Spartansburg in 2004. The foundation began working with woodland property owners who were concerned about the future of their forest over a long period of time.

The organization has received donations and grants to continue an active program of land acquisition and education.

"We only harvest trees which are either diseased or damaged or trees which are not desirable and allow the other trees to reach their full potential for forest owners," Dunkel said.

"Additionally, to protect the forests we only use horses in our work."

The foundation has acquired and helped to promote some 450 acres of forests in this region. In May 2013, the foundation will embark on new project. "In the Blooming Valley area a property owner has an 85 acre treeless field," Dunkel said. "In May, we'll prepare the field and begin to plant a new forest for the future."

In February, the Crawford County Conservation District awarded the Foundation its Forest Sustainability Award of the Year for its premier work in forest management.